0:00:31 > 0:00:33This is the picturesque island of Sark,
0:00:33 > 0:00:37the smallest of the four main Channel Islands.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41It's one of the most unusual places to be found on our shores.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44The peace and tranquillity are a magnet for visitors,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48keen to exchange modern day living for a more relaxed pace of life.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52The summer is almost at an end
0:00:52 > 0:00:55and, although there's still a trickle of tourists,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59the tiny population of 600 will soon have the island to themselves.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04As the days grow shorter and the nights draw in,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08the locals' thoughts are turning to the long winter months that lie ahead.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Up at St Peter's church, the Anglican vicar, Gill,
0:01:13 > 0:01:18and her husband, Colin, are considering their future here.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Gill originally came to Sark temporarily,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25having agreed to hold the fort while the parish search for a permanent vicar.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29A very warm welcome on this beautiful day to all of you...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Her initial term of six months was extended to a year,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35but now her tenure is nearly up.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Gill must decide whether to remain
0:01:37 > 0:01:41or return to her family home in Buckinghamshire.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46I think I've got to say that this has probably been one of the best years of my life.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51I've erm... The variety here, the people that we've met,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and this incredibly idyllic, beautiful island.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01It's been an amazing experience, and one I'm incredibly glad
0:02:01 > 0:02:05that I've had the opportunity to be involved in.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Do you think Sark's the kind of place you could stay?
0:02:08 > 0:02:13If I'm really honest with you, I'm torn in two at the moment,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17and it's very much a question, and we felt at the beginning
0:02:17 > 0:02:19that God made it so clear that we were to come here,
0:02:19 > 0:02:24and everything fell into place in an amazing way.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I believe it's right for us to leave now,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30but we're still open to the fact that God might say to us
0:02:30 > 0:02:33I want you to remain here for a few more months.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34We just don't know.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38The next few weeks will clarify that.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Losing their vicar would be a big blow to the small island community,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47so everyone's awaiting Gill's decision...
0:02:48 > 0:02:51..including fisherman Baz Adams,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54who's been in the choir since he was a boy.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Apart from Sundays, Baz is out fishing every day of the week.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03He's probably the most experienced fisherman on Sark,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07but he does have another skill that comes as quite a surprise
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and, for once, it doesn't involve going to sea.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Get a job in a bakery after this. What do you reckon?
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Baz, surprisingly, is a keen baker.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24Sweeten it up.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29So, Baz, how did you get into cake-making?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Just because I've been watching my wife do it.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38I thought I could do as well as her, really, you know.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I don't know if it's gonna prove, though. It's worth a try.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Good, I think we've got everything in there. I hope so, anyway.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53I usually do it the lazy way with the Magimix.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55But Baz hasn't given up an afternoon's fishing
0:03:55 > 0:03:57just to make any old cake.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01This, he hopes, will be a Victoria sponge extraordinaire,
0:04:01 > 0:04:06good enough to wow the judges at this year's Sark grand autumn show.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12This annual event is a celebration
0:04:12 > 0:04:16of the gardeners and farmers on Sark and their best produce.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20There are 36 classes of vegetables alone.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26The silverware up for grabs brings out the islanders' competitive streak.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Ah, there lies a tale!
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- 73.- You're in front.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Baz is entering the highly competitive male Victoria sponge category.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43The judges have been specially invited to the island for the show,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46but Baz's cake will have to be at its best
0:04:46 > 0:04:49to get past these two stalwarts of the baking world.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Very sugary.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Mm, that's disappointing, isn't it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:59When it comes to cake-baking, Baz's normally placid, gentle character
0:04:59 > 0:05:02takes on an unexpectedly competitive edge.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08Last year I got beaten by somebody who was only on holiday,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11so you never know your luck.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Yeah.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Looking at that, there's a slight little bit too much in that one.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26But nothing less than sheer perfection will do for Baz.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28There, I think that's about it.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Good. That tastes OK.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Even though I said it myself!
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Do your best.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50But will Baz's cake rise to the challenge?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- Are you nervous about it?- I am, mate.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Is that a winning cake?
0:05:59 > 0:06:03It's not too bad, mate, I'm confident about it.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06If I'm not confident, who will be, eh?
0:06:07 > 0:06:08That's the thing.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Baz is making sure his freshly-baked Victoria sponge
0:06:18 > 0:06:20gets pride of place up at the island hall
0:06:20 > 0:06:24before tomorrow morning's all-important judging.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- Starting to fill up.- Do you want me to set up the plate for you?
0:06:28 > 0:06:29Yes, please.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32His daughter, Zoe, is running the show.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36But to prevent any favouritism, strict protocols are in place.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41They have judges come from Guernsey to do all the judging,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45so that nobody knows. But all the envelopes are closed. Nobody knows.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46There's no names on show, you see.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It's all very fine entertainment.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00Tomorrow morning will be the judging, so just hope for the best.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20Shepherd David Scott is up early as usual, checking on his ewes.
0:07:20 > 0:07:26Six months have past since his tame, bottle-fed lamb, Persil, was born.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29You can walk now, mate. Come on, then.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Come on, Perse. Come on.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Now Persil's grown up and is one of the flock.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- Guess which one's Persil. - Hello, Persil.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Little Perse.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Persil still has a close bond with David,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55but that might be coming to an end.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00He is a bit of a sweetheart.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Sheep with a mask on.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Do you wanna come for a wander, Perse?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12It might be your last time up on the cliff field, you never know.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Come on, Persey!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19It's quite handy having a tame sheep around the place
0:08:19 > 0:08:23when you're moving the others, because they'll follow you
0:08:23 > 0:08:27and then the rest of the sheep will follow them.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34So he has got a use in life for if he doesn't make the grade for the butcher's block.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Come on, Perse. That's it, well done.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43David's sheep farm is surely one of the most idyllic on the planet.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46You never get fed up of coming up here to check animals
0:08:46 > 0:08:48when you've got this view to look at.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It's a beautiful island.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54It's lovely to be, you know, earning a living on it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59The views might be breathtaking, but business hasn't been great.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It's been quite a poor season for tourists,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05so obviously that affects the amount of lamb you can sell,
0:09:05 > 0:09:10cos if, you know, if the hotels aren't busy then they're not going to be buying so much.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13If you don't get fine weather, you know,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16people will, if they get to Guernsey and Jersey,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19they're certainly not going to come to Sark for a day,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23erm, if it's pouring with rain.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27It is quietened down over the last couple of years, really.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29With the lean winter months around the corner,
0:09:29 > 0:09:33David has some hard choices to make about Persil's future.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35You know, ultimately it's my decision
0:09:35 > 0:09:37whether he's being eaten or not.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41What would be the advantage in eating him, do you think?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Well, he'll taste good!
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Little monkey.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51David will have to decide over the next few days
0:09:51 > 0:09:54whether he can afford to keep Persil over the winter months.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Some of Sark's other fresh produce is being scrutinised
0:10:10 > 0:10:12up at the island hall.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17The all-important judging for the male-only cake-baking is about to start.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Victoria sandwich, males only.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Using no more than three hen's eggs.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31And the judges know exactly what they're looking for.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Nothing less than perfect will do.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35First, you look at the shape of the cake,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38whether it's sunk in the middle or not, and then the colour.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Obviously some of these have been cooked too long, they're a bit dark,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45and then when you cut them, it's the feel of the cut,
0:10:45 > 0:10:50and then if you look at this one, it's beautifully evenly textured.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54And some of them... I mean that one tastes lovely,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56but there's quite a lot of jam in it
0:10:56 > 0:10:58so, of course, then that soaks into the sponge.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00So you take all that into consideration.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06And we've tasted them all, so it's flavour as well,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09because obviously the most important thing is you're going to eat it,
0:11:09 > 0:11:10but it's got to look right as well.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- I mean they're all classic Victoria sandwiches.- Mm, yep.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16- It's always tough here.- Mm, yep.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I would say, in my mind, I've picked out four,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- and it'll be between those four.- Mm.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29As the tourist season wanes,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32events like this are an important part of island life
0:11:32 > 0:11:37and give the community a chance to come together and admire each other's talents.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39A certificate for a collection of garden vegetables
0:11:39 > 0:11:41is won by Mr Dave Curtis.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44APPLAUSE
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Certificate presented for floral centrepiece is won by Mrs S Martin.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Gill, the Anglican vicar, has entered the miniature garden section
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and is chuffed to bits with first prize.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's feels amazing, actually.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04I've never ever gone in for anything like this before,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06so to actually win a first on the first attempt,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08and I so enjoyed doing it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12It was just such fun to go out collecting things
0:12:12 > 0:12:17and just to see possibilities of how you could make trees and bushes and so on.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19It really is great fun.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24It's something of the little girl I read in a book, Milly Molly Mandy stories, many years ago,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28and I always thought I must make a miniature garden one day,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and you know I've never done it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34So this is it, fulfilling a childhood passion.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40I mean when you consider how small the island is,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42and just the creativity of it,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44and I go up each row thinking,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48"Wow, isn't that amazing! How did they get that idea?"
0:12:48 > 0:12:50For me it's just the fact that, you know,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53there's everybody talking about it, encouraging one another
0:12:53 > 0:12:59and congratulating each other and, you know, you get this bit of competitive element
0:12:59 > 0:13:03with the guys all talking about their Victoria sponges this morning!
0:13:03 > 0:13:05It was quite, you know, really quite fun to hear them.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Cake-baking might be one of Baz's talents,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24but his real love is being at sea.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27There are only a few weeks of the short fishing season left,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and with the lean winter months around the corner,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Baz must work while the weather allows.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Only when the last lobster pot is lifted can Baz get back
0:13:37 > 0:13:40to find out if his baking skills have triumphed.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Makes you hungry, yeah, to look at them!
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Time for a brave face.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51He's been pipped at the post, again.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Oh well, wasn't too bad, second.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57He's got a nasty little sink there.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Oh, Peter's did well.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Ah, well, it was worth the effort, eh?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Could do with one of those for my lunch tomorrow.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Nice cup of coffee with that'd be lovely.
0:14:12 > 0:14:13Really lovely.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Gill, the Anglican vicar,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33has had to put her surprise win at the show to one side.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37She's expecting an important guest any moment.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41In recent weeks, Gill and her husband, Colin,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45have been in turmoil deciding whether to return to their family and home in England,
0:14:45 > 0:14:50or to remain in Sark until a permanent vicar could be found for the small island community.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55But now she has to give her boss a final decision.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01The dean's coming over today, shortly, and I think we're going
0:15:01 > 0:15:04to be just having a bit of a chat, I hope, about the future and what
0:15:04 > 0:15:08it holds, and also maybe telling him something about what's gone on in
0:15:08 > 0:15:12the last year, and then we're having lunch with the church wardens.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15KNOCK AT THE DOOR Too late, he's here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Hi, there! Really nice to see you again.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- How are you doing? - How are you doing?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24The dean of Guernsey, Paul Mellor,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27has overall responsibility for the Anglicans on Sark
0:15:27 > 0:15:30and, understandably, he's keen to extend her tenure,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33considering the busy months that lie ahead.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Oh, Colin, thank you.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39I was just asking Gillian if there was a chance of extension.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Right. How long would you like?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Oh, that sounds a prospect!
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Right, so we'll talk some more about it.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53If I'm honest, we've been...you know,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57one day we've felt should we stay a little bit longer,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00and then the next day we're thinking
0:16:00 > 0:16:04we have got life at home, and we've also got children that are...
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Quite, yes.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07..family that are...
0:16:07 > 0:16:11That's one of the things with a family over the sea, isn't it, really?
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Mm, right.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17You think everybody is sort of in place and then everybody moves.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Mm.- Yeah, mm.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Right.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But your plans are made for the end of October?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Well...
0:16:27 > 0:16:32If you decided you could stay till Christmas, that would be...
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Don't count on it.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I'm certainly not doing, no.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Just across the fields,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Shepherd David Scott has also made a big decision.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48He's rounded up a few of his flock,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and now their time on Sark has come to an end.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55With winter approaching, and business slowing up,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58he can't afford to hang on to more sheep than he needs.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04With help from his neighbour and friend, Eugene,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08David will transport these sheep, using his own boat, to Guernsey,
0:17:08 > 0:17:09where they've been sold.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Sadly, one of the flock is Persil, the lamb he bottle-fed from birth.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20He's had a good time with us, and I will be sad to see old Persil go.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Tie them on for safety,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26cos there's not enough life jackets to go round.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32In the early days, you know, you used to get a tear in your eye
0:17:32 > 0:17:36cos I only had a very few sheep,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40but now you've got, erm, you know, well it's your livelihood
0:17:40 > 0:17:45so really, you know, if you can sell a sheep that's how I earn my living.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So they are a commodity, sadly,
0:17:51 > 0:17:57but we do give them a good old life whilst they're around, that's for sure.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59They're very happy sheep
0:17:59 > 0:18:04and a happy lamb tastes better than an unhappy lamb, I reckon.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17Although David accepts the brutal realities of livestock farming,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20maybe this final journey with Persil in the boat
0:18:20 > 0:18:24might just bring about a last-minute change of heart.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40But Gill, the vicar, is not going to change her mind.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Soon, she and her husband will be heading home to Buckinghamshire,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45her time on Sark has gone too quickly.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I can't believe that I've been here for a whole year already.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52It's absolutely amazing that the time has now come to leave.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55It's been an action-packed year.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59There've been some very sad times and some really fun times.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05We've had a lot of laughs at times, and we've cried together at times.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12It's been a real privilege to be a part of that
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and to be part of people's lives here for a year.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17There's space at the front!
0:19:17 > 0:19:21It was lovely to share with Karen from the Methodist church,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and over the year it's been great to build a friendship with her
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and to work with her more and more closely.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33It's been a very difficult decision to make
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and we've been torn in two really,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38wondering whether we should be staying or not.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39But, at the end of the day,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42we've decided it is the right time to go.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47They need to get somebody in who is able to give a few years to Sark
0:19:47 > 0:19:51and who will have all the joys and some of the sadness
0:19:51 > 0:19:55and sorrows that we've had, and will love it as much as we have.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Gill's departure means that St Peter's church
0:19:59 > 0:20:02will be without a vicar for the foreseeable future.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07But one incentive for applicants might be the newly-refurbished vicarage.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13It's now up to the dean to find a replacement as quickly as possible,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17and he's hoping the spacious residence will lure the right candidate.
0:20:17 > 0:20:24I think we go to the, if you like, to the market in a bit of a better position this time.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29Now that we have the building bricks ready - that's this house -
0:20:29 > 0:20:33we will advertise in the church press for "house for duty"
0:20:33 > 0:20:37here in Sark, because "house for duty" is what it says on the can.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42The priest gives their services in the church and in the community
0:20:42 > 0:20:47for the house, and this is a very light, beautiful house
0:20:47 > 0:20:49in a magnificent place.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54I'm very hopeful that we will be able to find somebody to serve here.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Before Gill leaves Sark, there's one special service left to conduct.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08But, for once, she's not quite her usual confident self.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Here's a good spot, I think, put that there.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Big horses there.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23It's about to start shortly and the nerves, the butterflies,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25I must confess, are just rising a little bit.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30So it's really rather a special occasion
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and I'd like to get it right.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The reason for Gill's anxiety could be to do with
0:21:37 > 0:21:40the unusual congregation she's invited.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Some have never been in a church before,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47and she doesn't know how they'll react or how many will come.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54One islander who will be attending today's service is horse trainer,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Julie, who's not normally a churchgoer,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01but down at the stables she's getting another novice worshipper
0:22:01 > 0:22:06ready to accompany her, young trainee carriage horse, Ron.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Well, we're going to church, to this pet service,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11and everyone's taking...
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Well, you can take a guinea pig if you want, it doesn't matter what your pet is.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17They bless 'em and everything, you know?
0:22:17 > 0:22:18So I'm taking Ron.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19SHE LAUGHS
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Obviously I'm not taking him in,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23cos I can't go in the church with him.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26He'll probably end up having a great big wee or something,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29or sitting on one of the pews and smashing the place to bits.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It's like the towering inferno coming out, innit?
0:22:41 > 0:22:42There, that's a good boy.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Today is pet's day.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Gill is preparing to welcome animals of all shapes
0:22:49 > 0:22:51and sizes into the church.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Although inviting in Rosie the cow, might be taking things too far.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57DOG BARKS
0:23:00 > 0:23:05Thankfully fisherman, Baz Adams, is taking something smaller.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06That's easy enough, eh?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11You're going to church, you're lucky, aren't you?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Baz wouldn't miss the pet service for the world,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17especially after last year's debacle.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21I don't think they're going to cow into the church this year,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23which is probably a good idea.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Well, the cow went round once, and the second time it did
0:23:27 > 0:23:30a bit of good luck on the floor, which didn't go down too well!
0:23:39 > 0:23:41CHURCH BELLS
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Hi.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52This probably counts as Gill's most unusual Anglican service ever.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54And, judging by the turnout, her busiest.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Just as well she's invited friend and colleague, Karen,
0:23:57 > 0:24:01the lay Methodist minister, to give her a helping hand.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Yes, there's quite a number of characters here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08It'll be interesting to see how everything happens when we get inside.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Last to arrive is shepherd, David Scott, with his wife, Estelle,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and their baby daughter, Robin.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18Oh, well done!
0:24:18 > 0:24:22But they've also brought long an unexpected guest, Persil, the pet lamb.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27He was destined for the butcher's block,
0:24:27 > 0:24:31but it appears David's soft spot for his pet got the better of him.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36Although he's not quite yet ready to admit the reason for Persil's stay of execution.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40He's not had a growth spurt yet,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43so he's certainly around for the rest of the winter,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47and I think he'll probably be around for the sheep racing next year.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I was saying to Dave about Persil, that if he's coming the pet service,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55then Persil really should be a pet, really. So we'll see.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59I shall lobby for Persil's long life.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01No, he's a lovely little sheep.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03CHICKEN CLUCKS
0:25:10 > 0:25:13# All things bright and beautiful
0:25:13 > 0:25:19# All creatures great and small
0:25:19 > 0:25:22# All things wise and wonderful
0:25:22 > 0:25:28# The Lord God made them all. #
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Creator God, you have made a beautiful world...
0:25:33 > 0:25:36This service is Gill's swansong.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38But, as sad as that may be for the islanders,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41there's better news from her lay Methodist colleague, Karen,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46who's decided to explore a call to train as a fully-fledged Methodist minister.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47DOG BARKS
0:25:47 > 0:25:50And now we're going to come to the part where we're going to
0:25:50 > 0:25:54bless the animals and the creatures that we've brought with us.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55You were created by God...
0:25:55 > 0:25:59If all goes well, Karen's hoping she'll be able to stay on in Sark
0:25:59 > 0:26:02for at least five years, so the island's worshippers
0:26:02 > 0:26:05will still have one shepherd to guide them.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Yes, it's exciting.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12For years, the last ten years or so, I've felt called
0:26:12 > 0:26:15to the full-time ministry, to the ordained ministry.
0:26:15 > 0:26:21May you and your human family experience joy and companionship.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23'This is what God wants me to do.'
0:26:23 > 0:26:27There's a lot to contemplate, but exciting.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Gill and Karen have been very brave inviting Sark's animal population
0:26:37 > 0:26:42into the church, and so far so good but, as they say,
0:26:42 > 0:26:43don't count your chickens.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47ANIMAL NOISES DROWNS OUT SINGING
0:26:51 > 0:26:55# Everywhere around me
0:26:55 > 0:26:58# I can see the hand of God
0:26:58 > 0:27:02# The evidence surrounds me
0:27:02 > 0:27:06# In the greatness of this world
0:27:06 > 0:27:10# Everywhere around me
0:27:10 > 0:27:14# I can see the hand of God
0:27:14 > 0:27:18# The evidence surrounds me
0:27:18 > 0:27:24# In the greatness of this world
0:27:24 > 0:27:28# Everywhere around me. #
0:27:29 > 0:27:34They're really getting the idea now, about joining in, aren't they? It's tremendous.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38The pet service will no doubt be a highlight in the many memories
0:27:38 > 0:27:43Gill will reflect on when she leaves Sark, but what has struck her most
0:27:43 > 0:27:46is how the members of this small but determined island community
0:27:46 > 0:27:51have supported each other through uncertain and difficult times.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55One of the things I've learnt about living on an island
0:27:55 > 0:27:57is you have to be tough.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01They have to make life work for them.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04It's no good expecting that others will just, erm...
0:28:04 > 0:28:07that there'll be safety net, as it were.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10There's a resilience in the people here, a determination,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and I admire that.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16And all the very best, I hope you have a good journey.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17Thank you.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19And you have a good journey.
0:28:19 > 0:28:25If I could possibly have a photograph of animals and people over there.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28I don't know how you're going to do this, Julie.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32I will remember the island as one of the best years of our lives, I think.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Can you get as close to each other as possible, please?
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Could the cow on the left squeeze in a little bit?
0:28:41 > 0:28:45The question now is how Church of England worshippers on Sark
0:28:45 > 0:28:48will cope over the hard winter months ahead,
0:28:48 > 0:28:50until a permanent replacement for Gill is found.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55The search for the new Anglican vicar is on.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd